With winter approaching swiftly and the Easter break receding behind us, who wouldn’t want a little more glamour in their lives? Thank goodness then, that Miss-SA-turned-TV-personality Jo-Ann Strauss launched her latest production – Glambition – into the world this week. And ZAlebs was on hand with the host and producer herself when the show made its debut.

It was an intimate event that was as much a wrap party for the crew as it was a launch party. The Fourways venue was cosy and warmly lit, guests sipped cocktails in the landscaped garden and enjoyed the talents of a jazz quartet before the lady of the hour arrived. And when she does it isn’t in the “diva form” you might expect, but rather in a cloud of warmth and enthusiasm, embracing guests and working the room.

Browse our gallery of photos from the launch party here. 

Jo-Ann was dressed in a bright pink cocktail dress with midriff bearing panels, her hair simply pulled back, and skin flawless. She’s dabbing at her eyes as she approaches my little party in the corner – “I just got off a flight from Europe. I don’t feel very glamorous,” she jokes. But it doesn’t show, the group rushes to reassure her. “I know it’s technically all over and recorded but I am still nervous,” she confesses conspiratorially. “Anyway, can I get you a drink?” “I didn’t realise she was a friend of yours,” I say to the people with me. She isn’t, she’s just that friendly it turns out.

We all congregate around a TV to watch as the opening sequence begins, and then TV-Jo-Ann holds court on the punchy talk-and-segment style show. The line-up of guests is impressive: actress turned businesswoman Carol Bouwer, jazz maven Sibongile Khumalo, entrepreneur Johanna Mukoki and our very own Hollywood starlet Terry Pheto – all packaged around style and beauty inserts with a travel slant. “I’m not the star. The guests are the stars,” offers real-world Jo-Ann.

The show wraps to applause and I corner an excited Jo-Ann for two minutes:

How long did it take to shoot and how long in post-production?

We shot 13 episodes in seven days, and we are still in post-production.

I know you’ve seen this episode before as the producer, but how do you feel now that it is in the public sphere?

I am very excited. Everybody keeps asking how we got such a high caliber of guests for a new show, and it is remarkable that they all said yes before it even went out on air. It’s a very small industry and I have made good contacts and have great relationships.

What was your biggest challenge in putting this together?

My biggest challenge was that I was both presenting and producing. So I would be on set and also thinking about how the film needs to be edited, what segments we need to do. It was stressful but I enjoy it. My friends always joke that I am the “head girl” because I like to boss people around.

Watch Glambition on e.tv. Monday's at 8:30PM